(left to right), Lorriane Rooney, Geoff Scott and Claire Eakin from MindWise get ready to host a ‘Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’ at this year’s Belfast Pride event on 31^st August 2010

 

 

MindWise, the leading local mental health charity is encouraging the public to become aware of mental illness and to protect their own mental health through a programme of awareness raising activities at community events across the province including attending the Belfast Pride Parade on 31^st July 2010.

 

The charity which has been offering support to local people affected by severe mental illness and mental health difficulties for over 30 years, also maintains a dedicated public affairs function which campaigns to raise awareness of mental illness and to help educate the general public on how to protect their own mental health.

 

Volunteers from the charity lead by MindWise Volunteer Coordinator, Claire Eakin will be attending a range of community events over the year to take the message of mental health awareness to people in an entertaining way by hosting ‘Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties’ at the events. At the Tea Parties, members of the public can make customise their very own ‘Mad Hat’ to wear with pride to show their support for the cause and to help challenge the stigma and prejudice that often surrounds this major health issue which affects as many as 1 in 4 of the local population at any one time.

 

To date the charity has taken part in Twelfth of July celebrations at Portrush and as well as attending Belfast Pride, MindWise is also scheduled to be at Feile an Phobail on the 2^nd of August and Belfast Mela on 29^th August in Botanic Gardens and the charity intends to be present at other cultural and community festivals throughout the remainder of the year.

 

Geoff Scott, Public Affairs Manager for the charity explained the rational for taking part in these events by saying “MindWise is keen to do all we can to raise awareness of mental illness in a way that overcomes the stigma often surrounded by the issue which often inhibits individuals affected from seeking support if needed. We have decided to take an informal approach by going along to community events to help celebrate with each of the cultures and traditions represented whilst through the fun medium of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties getting across the serious message about the need to be aware of and protect one’s own mental health”.

 

 

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